Help Keep Luis on the Soccer Team

Hi everyone,

I’ve never done anything like this before, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this — and I feel compelled to help.

Last night, I took my son Jordan to his first soccer practice of the new season after a two-month break. As I was watching from above, I noticed something was off. One of the boys, Luis, wasn’t there. I asked another parent where he was, and they said, “I think it’s a money thing.”

That didn’t sit right with me then, and it still doesn’t now.

When I was a kid, there were so many things I couldn’t do — sports I never played — because we didn’t have the money. And to be honest, I had too much pride to ever ask for help. To this day, I still think about the opportunities I missed out on. That’s why I work hard to make sure my own son gets every chance to pursue the things he loves.

Luis is a good kid. His parents don’t speak English, which I’m sure makes navigating all of this even harder. My friend is trying to help them with the language barrier, but the bottom line is that club sports have become so expensive, they’re pricing a lot of great kids out — and that just doesn’t feel right.

So here’s my ask:

It costs $1,100 to play for the season. I’ve set the goal at $1,200 in hopes we can also get Luis a solid pair of cleats. If this story resonates with you — whether because you love sports, know what it’s like to grow up without much, or simply want to help a deserving kid — please consider donating. Any amount helps.

I promise full transparency. Every dollar will go directly to Luis’s club fees and gear, and I’ll gladly share receipts so you know exactly where it’s going.

This is outside my comfort zone, but I know it’s the right thing to do. His family doesn’t know I’m doing this — they just know my friend is trying to find a way to keep him on the team. I’d love to surprise them with the good news.

Thanks so much for reading — and thank you in advance for any support you can give.

Justin McDonald